The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Iron and Steel industry is a weight-losing, raw material-oriented industry. Its location is primarily governed by the availability of heavy raw materials like iron ore, coking coal, and limestone, alongside factors such as transport logistics, market proximity, and labour availability.Statement 1 is Correct: The development of the iron and steel industry in India, particularly in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region, has significantly benefited from the availability of cheap labour from the densely populated surrounding states of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Additionally, a well-developed railway network facilitates the transport of bulky raw materials and finished goods.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Important steel-producing centres are distributed across multiple states, not situated in a single state. Major integrated steel plants are located in Chhattisgarh (Bhilai), West Bengal (Durgapur, Burnpur), Jharkhand (Jamshedpur, Bokaro), Odisha (Rourkela), Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam), Karnataka (Vijayanagar, Bhadravati), and Tamil Nadu (Salem).
Statement 3 is Correct: The Indian iron and steel industry is structurally diverse. It comprises large Integrated Steel Plants (ISPs) that handle everything from raw material processing to steel rolling, as well as secondary producers such as mini steel plants (using electric arc furnaces), rolling mills, and ancillary industries.
Key Takeaway: The Indian steel industry is concentrated in the mineral-rich northeastern plateau region but spans multiple states. It consists of both large integrated plants and smaller secondary units, driven by raw material proximity, transport connectivity, and labour availability.